'Swerving' TriMet bus driver charged with DUII

A TriMet bus driver has been arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of intoxicants.

At least two 9-1-1 callers told the Washington County Sheriff's Office that a TriMet bus was "swerving" — forcing one motorist out of an adjacent travel lane — while traveling eastbound on Southwest Baseline Road in Cornelius around 9 p.m. on Friday, June 7.

The bus was "out of service" and only the driver was onboard, according to a news release. TriMet contacted the driver and ordered her to pull over near Southeast Maple and 10th streets in Hillsboro before police arrived.

After an investigation, Vanessa Krinker, 46, of Northwest Portland, was charged with DUII and reckless driving. She was lodged at the Washington County Jail and has since been released on $2,500 bail.

"Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this case," authorities say. "The investigation is continuing while toxicology tests are completed and video evidence is gathered."

The Washington County Sheriff's Office thanked TriMet for its "complete cooperation."

In a statement, TriMet says the agency is conducting an internal investigation into "a very serious allegation."

"If found to have occurred, it could be cause for termination under our collective bargaining agreement," said TriMet spokeswoman Roberta Altstadt. "Such an allegation does not reflect TriMet's core value of safety or the commitment of our agency and our nearly 1,500 operators to provide safe transit service to our community."

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